backyard smith

This is a must have book in every shop. I was very impressed with the project section, from beginner to advanced it has a project for everyone. Bought mine at Borders and have seen it at B+N.

I got this book at Boarders. I have read it front to back and use it as a reference now. A great book that every blacksmith should have.

That would make a great blackpowder patch knife! Thanks for the post!

very nice...love the unusual shape!

My fav is a 3 1/2 pound straight peen I bought for a dollar at a yard sale. It needed a new handle and the only marks on it are USA on the side. I love that hammer!

I have both straight and cross in in a couple of weights would be lost without any of them. I do however use my 3 1/2 pound straight the most. Hoped this helped.

I welded a piece of leaf spring to a hunk of square stock that fit my hardy hole. Was pretty simple. I will however be trying Grant's idea with the axle this spring. TC

When I get a spare 150, I will be getting hold of you! They are awesome!!!

There are two things I never go cheap on that is taps and chisels! I like taps and dies made by Hanson. They are strong and hold a edge well. I would buy just the sizes you are going to use most often at first, then expand as you need them this will spread the cost out over time. So it won't seem so bad. As for lube, I like sticky oil for taps and dies. I would buy cutting oil at a place that treads pipe or in a pinch I'll use chainsaw bar oil. Remember to back off the tap or die as you are cutting and clean the chips off, this will save you lots of broken taps. Also there are different styles of taps( first cut, second cut, bottom and gun..ect) know what you need when you order them. Hope this helped. TC

I will try the pry bar idea! thanks

I can buy all the scrap steel I want for 25 cents a pound in north east PA. That includes better steel like leaf springs and wire rope.

That hinge looks great! I have made many and repaired a bunch. And I melt some bees wax in the hinge area when I'm done. It lasts for a long time and keeps things from rusting.

just called my scrap yard to make sure I gave you the right prices. Steel is .10 a pound and number 2 copper is 3.15 a pound. I'm in north east PA.

I get a endless supply of rebar from friends, and I'm finding that it is difficult to work some pieces and others work fine. Is there a way to grade or test the pieces to separate the bad from the good? Thanks TC

Great shop! but I would put the gas cans a little further away from the forge. But it's your shop :D

That was one of the neatest things I have ever seen!

Never heard Queen sound so good! Thanks for posting it.

I broke a 130.00 knife field dressing a deer. When I call about the warranty I was honest and told the company that I had hit the back of there knife with a rock to break the pelvic bone. The very nice lady on the phone said "If you are going to do that you better start making your own knives". I laughed and told her to have a good day. I've been a weld fitter of 20 years. So I had some practice working with metal. Thinking back to high school metal shop, I remembered files were good steel so with a hunk of railroad track, a ballpein hammer, the family wood stove and a old file I pounded out a new knife! I showed the knife to my buddy and he said "what are you some kind of blacksmith" Then asked me to make him a fire poker and I did! Now I have a complete Smithy in the backyard and my neighbors hate me...but I'm happy and my wife loves the fact we (you all and myself) can make something out of nothing!! Thanks for listening TC

It's not much but it works! Started with a old homemade steel charcoal grill, a break drum, some scrap pipe and a use water heater blower. Probably not the prettiest forge in the world but if I'm not careful I can melt the end of 1" key stock.

It's not much but it works! Started with a old homemade steel charcoal grill, a break drum, some scrap pipe and a use water heater blower. Probably not the prettiest forge in the world but if I'm not careful I can melt the end of 1" key stock.